Inside Chelsea Clinton and Ivanka Trump’s Unlikely Friendship

While Hillary Clinton swears she and fellow presidential hopeful Donald Trump “were not friends” back in the day — despite the Republican candidate’s past comments that he has “known her for years” and “really” likes her — the Democrat’s daughter, Chelsea, nevertheless continues to pledge her allegiance to Trump’s daughter Ivanka in a new interview touting their close relationship.

“I’ve never had a relationship with Mr. Trump,” Chelsea told People on Wednesday. “My relationship has always been with Ivanka, and certainly I do believe that friendship is more important than politics.” The devoted daughter, who has been speaking out in support of her mother’s campaign, explained that her kinship with Ivanka, the Trump Organization’s executive vice president, is a separate matter entirely from their parents’ political battle. “I would never hold anyone accountable for what their parents or anyone else in their family said or did,” Chelsea insisted. “I see Ivanka as Ivanka.”

Donald and Ivanka Trump. (Photo: Corbis Images)

And anyone can see, if they actually look, that the two women have an undeniable amount in common despite their differing political loyalties. Best buddies for years, the mothers — both currently expecting — have a unique shared history as daughters of public figures often vilified and always scrutinized. “There’s so much that they understand about each other. If there’s anyone who understands what Chelsea Clinton has been through, it is Ivanka Trump,” CNN reports that Emily Heil, co-author of the Washington Post’s “Reliable Source” column, has said.

Hillary Clinton and Chelsea Clinton. (Photo: Getty Images)

They also share a focus on the future, working with their parents (Ivanka at the Trump Organization, Chelsea at the Clinton Foundation and Clinton Global Initiative) and prioritizing their young children above all else. Chelsea has told Yahoo Parenting, “My whole life has been reoriented around my daughter.” And Ivanka echoed the sentiment when she recently spoke with Yahoo Parenting, revealing, “If my kids need me, I’m with them. They’re my top priority.” The New York City moms reportedly even slated a playdate for their babies post-election and have double-dated with their husbands.

Indeed Chelsea, 35, has sung her 34-year-old BFF’s praises before. “There’s nothing skin-deep about Ivanka,” she told Vogue a year ago. “And I think that’s a real tribute to her because certainly anyone as gorgeous as she is could have probably gone quite far being skin-deep.”

Chelsea has mused that the #WomenWhoWork initiative founder is, in fact, similar in at least one way to Bill Clinton. “She’s always aware of everyone around her and ensuring that everyone is enjoying the moment,” the presidential daughter said to Vogue. “It’s an awareness that in some ways reminds me of my dad and his ability to increase the joy of the room.” And apparently that’s whether or not the room includes the daughter of your father’s opponent.